“My Universe” was released Sept. 24 on Parlophone/Atlantic Records and previews Coldplay’s album Music of the Spheres, due Oct. 15. Sung in mostly English with some lyrics in Korean, it’s the 1,129th No. 1 in the Hot 100’s 63-year history, and the 57th to enter on top.
Let’s focus our telescope for a sharper look at its chart launch.
Streams, airplay & sales: “My Universe” drew 11.5 million U.S. streams and 5.5 million radio airplay audience impressions and sold 127,000 downloads and physical singles combined in its first week, ending Sept. 30, according to MRC Data.
The track debuts atop the Digital Song Sales chart, where it’s BTS’ ninth No. 1, extending the septet’s record for the most among groups, and Coldplay’s second. It also begins at No. 21 on Streaming Songs and, while not on the all-format Radio Songs chart, soars 38-23 on Alternative Airplay and debuts at No. 29 on Adult Pop Airplay and No. 33 on Pop Airplay.
“My Universe” was on sale during the tracking week for 69 cents as a digital download for its original version; the original version with alternate artwork showing its lyrics; an instrumental version; an acoustic version; and a “Supernova 7” mix, the latter two released Sept. 27. A CD single and an “Epiphane Edition” CD single were also available for purchase for $2.50 and $3.50, respectively. The song’s official video premiered Sept. 30.
Coldplay’s 2nd Hot 100 No. 1: Coldplay claims its second Hot 100 No. 1, after “Viva La Vida” ruled the June 28, 2008, chart. The group waited 13 years, three months and two weeks between No. 1s, and ends the longest gap between leaders since Cher, whose “Believe” ascended to the top of the chart dated March 13, 1999, a record 10 days shy of 25 years since she’d last led with “Dark Breed” in 1974.
Among groups, Coldplay ends the longest No. 1 drought on the Hot 100 since The Beach Boys took “Kokomo” to the top of the Nov. 5, 1988, chart, a month short of 22 years since they’d last led with “Good Vibrations” in 1966. (“Resurgent Beach Boys Still Get Around,” read the headline above Paul Grein’s Chart Beat column that issue.)
Meanwhile, “My Universe” is Coldplay’s fifth Hot 100 top 10 and first since another collaboration, “Something Just Like This,” with The Chainsmokers, a No. 3 hit in April 2017. Coldplay first reached the tier with “Speed of Sound,” which debuted and peaked at No. 8 in May 2005.
BTS’ 6th Hot 100 No. 1: BTS scores its sixth Hot 100 No. 1. Here’s a recap of its leaders:
“Dynamite,” three weeks at No. 1, beginning Sept. 5, 2020
“Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat),” with Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo, one, Oct. 17, 2020
“Life Goes On,” one, Dec. 5, 2020
“Butter,” 10, June 5, 2021
“Permission to Dance,” one, July 24, 2021
“My Universe,” one to-date, Oct. 9, 2021
“My Universe” is BTS’ ninth Hot 100 top 10, dating to its first, “Fake Love” (No. 10 debut and peak, June 2018).
Fastest 6 No. 1s since …: BTS has achieved its Hot 100 No. 1s over a span of a year and just over a month. That’s the quickest accumulation of six leaders since The Beatles scored six over a year and two weeks, in 1964-66: “I Feel Fine,” “Eight Days a Week,” “Ticket to Ride,” “Help!,” “Yesterday” and “We Can Work It Out.”
The Beatles hold the mark for the shortest span of six Hot 100 No. 1s, having earned their first six over 10 months and three weeks in 1964: “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “She Loves You,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Love Me Do,” “A Hard Day’s Night” and “I Feel Fine.”
(Another fab tie-in: “My Universe” is now the highest-charting Hot 100 hit with the word “universe” in its title. It passes the various artists-credited “Across the Universe,” a No. 22 cover in 2005 after Velvet Revolver performed it at the Grammy Awards that year with Billie Joe Armstrong, Bono, Norah Jones, Alicia Keys, Alison Krauss, Tim McGraw, Slash, Steven Tyler, Brian Wilson and Stevie Wonder; The Beatles released their original version in 1969.)
5th No. 1 debut: As “Dynamite,” “Life Goes On,” “Butter,” “Permission to Dance” and “My Universe” have all debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100, BTS ties for the most first-place arrivals. The group now shares the mark with Drake and Ariana Grande. (Drake notched his fifth No. 1 start on the Sept. 18 chart with “Way 2 Sexy,” featuring Future and Young Thug.)
2 groups at No. 1: “My Universe” is the first Hot 100 No. 1 by two groups each sporting lead billing on a song. The previous best? “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me,” by Diana Ross and The Supremes and The Temptations, hit No. 2 in 1969.
(Two No. 1s are collaborations by groups/duos in lead and featured roles, respectively: “Like a G6” by Far*East Movement featuring Cataracs [and Dev], in 2010, and “Maria Maria” by Santana featuring The Product G&B, in 2000.)
Max Martin Ties George Martin: Max Martin is one of the credited co-writers and co-producers of “My Universe” and the Swedish pop powerhouse earns his 25th Hot 100 No. 1 as a writer and record-tying 23rd as a producer. Only Paul McCartney (32) and John Lennon (26) (encompassing their hits in The Beatles and solo) have written more Hot 100 No. 1s, while Max Martin matches George Martin’s 23 for the most among producers.
Most Hot 100 No. 1s by Writers:
32, Paul McCartney
26, John Lennon
25, Max Martin
18, Mariah Carey
17, Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald
Most Hot 100 No. 1s by Producers:
23, George Martin
23, Max Martin
17, Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald/Tyson Trax
16, James “Jimmy Jam” Harris III
16, Terry Lewis
(The above list was compiled via Billboard charts department research and Fred Bronson’s The Billboard Book of Number One Hits.)
Max Martin had last topped the Hot 100 as a writer and producer thanks to The Weeknd and Ariana Grande’s “Save Your Tears,” for two weeks in May. He first led in both roles via Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time” on the chart dated Jan. 30, 1999.
No. 1 on rock, alt charts: Additionally, “My Universe” premieres atop the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs and Hot Alternative Songs charts, which use the same multi-metric methodology as the Hot 100. Coldplay earns its second No. 1 on the former tally, after the similarly celestial “A Sky Full of Stars” led for six weeks in 2014. The band notches its first leader on the latter list, which launched in 2020.
BTS achieves its first No. 1 on each ranking, a week after “My Universe” became the group’s first entry on any Billboard rock/alternative charts.
Below “My Universe” on the Hot 100, The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber’s “Stay” slips to No. 2 after six weeks at No. 1, while leading Radio Songs for a third week (81.4 million, up 2%).
Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow’s “Industry Baby” drops to No. 3 on the Hot 100 from its No. 2 high, as it adds a sixth week atop both the multi-metric Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts.
Drake’s “Way 2 Sexy” descends 3-4 on the Hot 100, following its opening at No. 1 three weeks earlier, as it posts a fourth week atop Streaming Songs (27.6 million, down 15%).
Rounding out the Hot 100’s top five, Walker Hayes’ “Fancy Like” keeps at its No. 5 best, while ruling the multi-metric Hot Country Songs chart for a 12th week. It also wins the Hot 100’s top Airplay Gainer award and jumps into the Radio Songs top 10 (16-8; 43.2 million, up 34%). The song, which is also benefiting from its sync in an Applebee’s commercial that premiered Aug. 23, concurrently pushes 9-4 on Country Airplay, 17-14 Adult Pop Airplay, 20-17 on Pop Airplay and 28-22 on Adult Contemporary.
Elsewhere in the Hot 100’s top 10, Ed Sheeran’s “Bad Habits” falls 4-6, after reaching No. 2; Olivia Rodrigo’s “Good 4 U” retreats 6-7, after it led in its first week in May; Doja Cat’s “Kiss Me More,” featuring SZA, slides 7-8, after hitting No. 3, Drake’s “Knife Talk,” featuring 21 Savage and Project Pat, drops 8-9, after rising to No. 4; and Dua Lipa’s “Levitating” returns to the tier, up 11-10, after rising to No. 2.
Again, for all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram and all charts (dated Oct. 9), including the Hot 100 in its entirety, will refresh on Billboard.com tomorrow (Oct. 5).
